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KN-JAKARTA, The Ministry of Defense has denied reports by several foreign media outlets that a final agreement has been reached regarding granting blanket overflight permits to US military aircraft in Indonesian airspace.
This was stated by Rico Sirait, Head of the Ministry of Defense Information Bureau, in Jakarta on Monday (April 13, 2026). The response was issued to allay concerns that Indonesia’s air sovereignty would be threatened by the opening of access to foreign military aircraft.
“The document is not a final agreement, is not legally binding, and cannot be used as the basis for official policy of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia,” said Rico.
Meanwhile, the 249,575 square kilometers of northern airspace bordering Singapore has finally been fully regulated by Indonesia. This not only increases the number of domestic flights but also strengthens Indonesia’s sovereignty over the country’s airspace.
The area transferred from the management of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) extends from the Riau Islands to Natuna. This area is one of Indonesia’s northernmost points, bordering Malaysian and Singaporean airspace.
Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) warned that the government cannot simply grant blanket overflight access to foreign military aircraft within Indonesian sovereign territory. There are several issues that merit serious government attention. Such an agreement must also go through a ratification process in the DPR, as it concerns strategic aspects of national sovereignty.
In principle, provisions regarding permits to enter Indonesian airspace by foreign aircraft, both civilian and military, are regulated in Law Number 21 of 2025 concerning Airspace Management, specifically Articles 40 and 41. This regulation states that permits are permitted as long as they comply with applicable aviation regulations and international cooperation.
Photo: Kepala Biro Hubungan Masyarakat dan Informasi Pertahanan Sekretaris Jenderal Kementerian Pertahanan Brigadir Jenderal TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, source: MataMaluku.com
